The Messenger - May 19, 2010 - A Red Letter Day

First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro

May 19, 2010

The Messenger

Pastor's Corner

"A Red Letter Day"

Have you ever noticed the abrupt change in tone that occurs between Romans Chapter 7 and Romans Chapter 8? Chapter 7 sounds almost desperate: "Wretched man that I am--who will save me from this body of sin and death?" While Chapter 8 sounds exuberant: "In all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us." What caused this dramatic change in tone?

Most Bible commentators explain that the affirmations of Romans chapter 8 are actually answers to the anguish Paul has expressed in Romans Chapter 7. That much is clear. But, in one of his very finest sermons, Rick Warren goes even further, explaining that the real difference is one of focus. Chapter 7 is the "I" chapter, where Paul focuses almost entirely on himself, his problems, his failures, and his strengths. The word "I" is used 27 times in that text, and "me" is used 6 times more. With painful honesty and inward focus, Paul finds himself to be completely inadequate. Chapter 8, by contrast, is the "God" chapter, where Paul focuses on the Holy Spirit and Gods work within our world. The word "Spirit" was completely absent from Romans chapter 7, but it occurs 19 times in Romans chapter 8. "God" is used 16 times, and "Christ" is used 10 times more. What a difference this focus makes!

While focusing on himself, Paul says:

I know that nothing good lives in me.

When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

I delight in God's law. . . but I see another law at work. . .making me a prisoner of sin

While focusing on God's Spirit, Paul says:

The law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death.

What the law was powerless to do . . .God did by sending his own Son.

You did not receive a spirit of slavery; you received a spirit of Sonship.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The lesson of this text is clear: If you want to live a victorious Christian life, then you need to focus upon God's Spirit! But many Christian's don't. That's why the Christian Church has long set aside 1 Sunday of the year to focus upon the Spirit. That day is called Pentecost Sunday, and it is widely recognized as the "birthday" of the worldwide Christian Church. It's the one day of the year in which the paraments of the church all turn to red (representing the "tongues of fire" the Spirit sent in Acts chapter 2), and it's the one day of the year we ask YOU to wear clothing that is yellow or red to worship. Pentecost is THIS Sunday (May 23). I'll be preaching from Paul's "Holy Spirit" text in Romans Chapter 8, the "Gospel Gang" will sing, and it should be a really fun day. I hope you'll join us.

     Neal